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09 Feb 2012 08:00
Will the return of winter affect the onset of spring?
The cold snap could play havoc with our native trees, plants and animals according to the Woodland Trust. The conservation charity asks the public to monitor the changing seasons through its Nature's Calendar project and has already had over 450 snowdrop sightings across the country this spring, as well as several dozen records of frogspawn.
The freezing temperatures could damage the foliage of any plants and trees that have been encouraged into unseasonal growth. Likewise some wildlife is vulnerable – active insects could be killed if caught unawares and early frogspawn will die if it freezes.
Dr Kate Lewthwaite from the Woodland Trust said: "The arrival of spring is seldom straightforward, and we are particularly keen to see how the relatively warm winter combined with the recent short, sharp cold snap will affect this. The more people recording early spring signs such as trees bursting their buds, active insects or birds showing nesting behaviour, the better we can assess its arrival in comparison to previous years."
2011 saw the earliest arrival of spring this century, with many spring events being the earliest for over 100 years.
Data recorded by the public through Nature's Calendar adds weight to the Trust's already vast resource of information on how trees and woods play a key role in the natural environment, supporting its goal of doubling native woodland cover. The charity is appealing for the public to use the VisitWoods website to find their nearest woodland to record any changes to flora and fauna following the cold snap.
Notes to Editors:
Nature’s Calendar - formally known as the UKPN: UK Phenology Network: is the result of a partnership between the Woodland Trust and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and has more than 60,000 registered recorders observing the signs of the changing seasons across the UK. Data stretches back to the 17th century and is used by scientists to assess the impact of climate change on wildlife in the UK. For information visit www.naturescalendar.org.uk
For more information contact:
About Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity championing native woods and trees. It has more than 300,000 members and supporters and its three key aims are: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.